The Toro SnowMaster – This May Be Your Next Snow Thrower

Introducing the Toro SnowMaster.

Toro officially announced the new Toro SnowMaster this week. This new snow blower will significantly change how many of us perform snow removal. This new snow blower is powerful, yet lightweight and has all the features you need to quickly remove a 2 to 10 inch snowfall. The new Toro SnowMaster will clear your driveway 30% faster than traditional two-stage snow blowers and can handle up to 18 inches of snow!

While every other brand has been progressively making bigger, high output, high-capacity, high horsepower snow blowers Toro has been listening to you. This new 24 inch snow blower fills a very big gap in the 24-28 inch snow thrower market. It’s fast, it’s easy to use and it’s half the price of the other brands new “high output” 24 inch models.

Note: I am not writing this review on an unproven snow thrower. We had a chance to play with the demo model last spring on 5 inches of heavy, wet snow and it really handled the snow faster than a two stage snow blower and better than a single stage snow thrower. This article is my opinion of the new Toro SnowMaster.

I have a lot of hands-on pictures of the new SnowMaster. Because I have so many I put them all at the end of this article

Is This The Best Snow Blower For You?

Who it’s for: This new Toro is great for someone who gets many light snows and an occasional heavy snow. I feel it will be just the right size for a paved driveway up to 2 cars wide and 60 to 150 feet long. It will handle heavy, wet snow well and power through the deep pile of snow the city snow plow leaves at the end of your drive. It will clean down to the pavement and should work well on cement, blacktop, sidewalks, pavers, decks and patios. If you always thought a two-stage snow blower was to big or too hard to handle but needed one because of the occasional big snow seriously look at this new Toro.

I live in an area of the country that gets about the same amount of snow as Chicago. In other words, I usually get many 2 to 6 inch snows and two or three 10 to 14 inch snows. I have a 16 by 70 foot driveway, a sidewalk and a patio to clear. This snow thrower will work for me very well.

This new snow blower uses adjustable skid shoes and flexible scraper bar. This combination is primarily designed to work perfectly on hard surfaces.

Who it’s not for: I usually recommend a 24 inch 2-stage snow blower for a 2-car wide driveway 60 feet long but because you can walk a lot faster with this snow blower I feel you can clear a much longer drive (up to 150 feet) of 6 inches of snow in the same amount of time. But the limitation of this snow thrower is how far it throws. If you have a 3 or 4 car wide drive or you have to always throw your snow to one side of the drive this snow thrower will only throw “up to 40 feet.” A good 2-stage snow blower like the Toro PowerMax HD, Ariens Deluxe SHO, Husqvarna 300 series and the Craftsman Pro will throw the snow farther and get it away from your driveway. If you get a lot of drifting – stick with a good 2-stage snow blower.

Do you live on Long Island? I’ve noticed that properties on Long Island are unique. Your driveways a typically short and you don’t have a lot of room to blow the snow but you do get significant heavy, wet snow falls every winter. For years you’ve been trying to find a small snow blower that will clear your driveway quickly but is powerful enough to handle those occasional 14-18 inch’ers. I think the new Toro SnowMaster is the snow thrower you have been looking for!

The SnowMaster is unique for seven reasons:

1. Unique auger design.From Toro’s Press Release: The SnowMaster powers through deep, heavy snow with ease thanks to its in-line two-stage auger technology. The steel rotor on the SnowMaster has a helical design that breaks up the snow, collects it to the center and throws the snow up to 40-feet out-of-the-way**. The rotor also spins ten times faster than typical two-stage rotors, and the tall auger opening increases snow capacity by 25% to move more than a ton of snow per minute*.

Tech Note: Toro is calling this “in-line two-stage technology.” The term is a play on words but Toro has changed the design of the rubber front paddle from the smooth transition of the single stage Power Curve® models to a cupped center section that grabs the snow and throws it farther. They can use the term “in-line two-stage technology” because the all steel rotor has a outer helical design which quickly breaks up and gathers snow to the center section that throws snow far through its tall chute opening. The new auger is all metal with a small center section of replaceable rubber paddles. The front rotor spins ten times faster than the front auger on a 2-stage snow blower so it grabs the snow and gets rid of it quickly. Toro states this new model will throw snow up to 40 feet! It is a single stage snow thrower but the front paddle does not touch the ground. Unlike many 2-stage snow blowers it handles wet, heavy snow!

The SnowMaster has a tall 18 inch open auger housing. The inside of the housing is smooth and free of obstacles to reduce clogging in deep snow. Even blowing wet, sloppy snow it won’t clog. In addition the SnowMaster uses a taller chute that is normally found on high quality two-stage snow blowers. The longer chute holds snow longer which reduces the amount of snow blown back in your face and increases the throwing distance. Because the chute holds the snow longer the SnowMaster will throw snow 10 to 15 feet farther than conventional single stage snow throwers.

Tech Note: This system is unique for two reasons.

First, with conventional single stage machines the front opening is only 10 inches higher or so because of the shape of the paddles. The paddles are designed to grab the snow and throw it but the paddles don’t release the snow well. If the front opening was higher it would throw most of the snow out the front of the snow thrower instead of out the chute. The SnowMaster grabs the snow like a single stage but what makes it unique is the center section is a curved paddle that throws the snow well but the slight curve allows it to let go of the snow better. It doesn’t hang on to the snow and throws it out the back of the auger and up the chute better than a conventional single stage snow thrower.

Second, Two stage machines have a lot of right angles that the snow has to move through. The front auger of a two-stage grabs the snow and then throws it at a right angle into the impeller. The impeller than throws it another right angle up and out the chute. The size of the impeller and the chute limits the amount of snow that it can handle and the designers have to actually meter the amount of snow going through the snow blower. If you have ever had your two-stage machine push snow in front of it because you were walking too fast you know what I mean. This snow thrower is unique because it grabs the snow once and immediately throws it up and out the large, tapered chute. Toro claims the SnowMaster has 25% more capacity than their Power Max 2-stage snow blowers.

3. Quick Stick® control. The innovative Quick Stick® control allows you to quickly and easily change chute direction AND the chute deflector with a single, smooth motion. Convenient one-hand operation levers allow single-handed operation freeing the other hand to change speeds or the chute control without stopping. In my opinion the Quick Stick is the easiest-to-use chute control on the market. It also automatically locks in place so it never wants to wander around.

4. Sub Zero Material – Guaranteed For Life. Chute, deflector and ACS are made of a special cold-weather material durable to -104˚ F and guaranteed for life. It is also rust-free, so there’s no binding, and snow and ice won’t stick.

5. Unique scraper design. Toro calls this a “compression loaded” scraper bar. This is just a big term for the simple fact that the scraper bar mount on the Toro SnowMaster has a little give to it so you can run the scraper on the ground and not be stopped dead in your track by a sidewalk crack or a paver sticking up. The Scraper bar does a better job of riding over obstructions than the metal scraper bar on a two or three stage machine.

6. Unique Self-Propelled Drive and Automatic Steering System. Unlike a single stage snow thrower the new Toro SnowMaster uses a separate drive system to pull the snow blower through the snow. What makes this snow thrower uniques is Toro is using its patented Toro Personal Pace® Self Propel system that automatically senses and adapts to your walking speed. In light snow this snow thrower will travel up to 3.5 mph making it a lot faster than traditional two and three stage snow blowers. The drive is so easy to use that anyone who can use a push mower can also use this snow thrower. Watch the video at the end of this article to see it in action.

Tech Note: Toro is making a big deal that the Personal Pace is faster than a 2-stage. Even though time savings is important, I feel the big deal is actually the full time traction and steering. This Personal Pace system offers intuitive steering; nudge the machine and it turns automatically, while keeping traction on one wheel. There are no steering triggers, buttons to press or levers to pull. When turning the machine the transmission will automatically disengage one or both wheels, allowing on the spot turning. The power steering is automatic and works so well you will not even notice it’s there. You can do hairpin turns and zero-turn. It doesn’t need reverse gears. Just take your hands off the Personal Pace control and grab the metal wrap-around handle underneath. The transmission completely disengages so it’e like moving a push more on cement. The snow thrower is so light you can easily pull the machine backwards.

No Tricks – No Word-Smithing.

This snow thrower has full time two wheel drive that automatically unlocks to make hairpin and zero-turns.

No Triggers.

No Extra Levers.

No Axle Pins To Move.

No Tire Scuffing.

Tech Note: The transmission case is not plastic. The case is a nearly indestructible glass fiber composite housing. The case is stronger than aluminum but can flex if needed. It resists debris impact, torque caused by twisting or severe flexing, and will never rust or corrode. The trans is sealed for life and will never need oil changes or maintenance of any kind.

7. This machine is very lightweight. When I first looked at the snow blower I laughed at the small tires. But after playing with the snow thrower outside I realized that the 11 inch deep tread wheels are just the right size. Why? Because the snow thrower is so lightweight – about half the weight of a conventional 2-stage snow blower. The tires have plenty of traction to push this lightweight snow thrower through the snow. It is balanced very well and is easier to turn than a walk-behind mower. You can pull it back towards you just as easily as your Toro Personal Pace mower. Pushing it around your garage without the engine running it pushes easily.

Three different models starting at $649:

Where To Buy: Home Depot has these new models available to order online only. They will ship to your home for free! Dealers will also have a very limited in-store stock for the next few months. I highly recommend if you want one to get it ordered now!

Pictures!

The SnowMasters have arrived! Thanks to Eau Claire Lawn for letting me get fingerprints all over their new display.

Yes, It’s kind of ugly. No fancy cowlings to add hundreds of dollars to the price:)

All the controls are easy to use with gloved hands. You don’t need an adjustable height handle because you can grab the side or the top of the Personal Pace Bar.

Just one engagement lever that controls the auger. It’s so simple to operate compared to a 2-stage.

With the auger engaged the lever fits comfortably into the handle.

Quick Stick Chute Control

If you have never tried a Quick Stick before I can’t explain how easy it is to use.

Look! The engine starting controls are very easy to get at. No reaching between the handlebars!

Nice deep treads

Notice the slight curve to the center paddle? This allows the SnowMaster to get rid of the snow quickly and not throw it out the front.

Compression Scraper. This is made of Toro’s Sub Zero Polymere. It will last.

Nice, Long Poly Skid Shoes. They won’t scratch your deck and I expect them to last.

If you ever have to change the drive belt it will be very easy to do.

All the shields are tapered so snow and ice will slide right off

Easy oil check. Notice the large, quiet muffler?

This model is the 724 QXE

Very clean under carriage. Nothing to rust under here.

Toro’s Personal Pace Transmission. This is not a plastic case. It is a nearly indestructible glass fiber composite housing that resists debris impact, torque caused by twisting or severe flexing, and will never rust or corrode.

Another view of the Compression Scraper. It will be easy to replace.

Look! An easy-to-use oil drain!

Second to last picture Right Side View

Last picture – left side view

Toro’s Official Press Release:

Winter Has Met Its Match: Introducing the New Toro® SnowMaster®

In-line, two-stage auger technology pairs with unprecedented maneuverability to get the job done up to 30% faster

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (August 18, 2015) – Toro is forging the next evolution in snow removal with the new SnowMaster® snowblower. This first-of-its-kind snowblower defies definition, combining the best features of snow-removing technology into one easy-to-use, time-saving machine. It’s faster, easier to maneuver and more efficient, saving you up to 30%* of the time you spend clearing what Mother Nature dishes out. Click here to see it in action.

The SnowMaster powers through deep, heavy snow with ease thanks to its in-line two-stage auger technology. The steel rotor on the SnowMaster has a helical design that breaks up the snow, collects it to the center and throws the snow up to 40-feet out of the way**. The rotor also spins ten times faster than typical two-stage rotors, and the tall auger opening increases snow capacity by 25% to move more than a ton of snow per minute*. A larger intake opening also helps to reduce clogging.

Revolutionary features make the SnowMaster incredibly easy to handle. Toro’s innovative and proven Personal Pace® self-propel system, commonly used on Toro walk power mowers, automatically adjusts to your walking speed up to 3.5 mph. With Toro’s Personal Pace technology, the new SnowMaster delivers up to 50% faster ground speed* to help you get the job done quickly. Integrated automatic steering makes turning nearly effortless, while the Quick Stick® chute control makes changing the chute direction and angle as easy as using a joystick. A compression-loaded scraper bar hugs the ground, clearing down to the pavement better than a comparable two-stage snowblower*. The result is a clear, clean driveway in less time with less effort.

Look for new Toro SnowMaster snowblowers available now at select Toro dealers, ToroDealer.com, and select The Home Depot stores. Three models are available, with prices starting at $649.

All three SnowMaster models are backed by a three-year limited warranty. Visit an authorized Toro dealer for full warranty details. For more information regarding the complete line of Toro snowblowers and other Toro products, contact Toro at 1-888-384-9939 (U.S.), 1-800-544-5364 (Canada), or visit www.toro.com/snowmaster.

*Compared to a Toro Power Max two-stage snowblower

**Capacity and throw distance will vary with conditions

Three different models starting at $649:

Where To Buy: Home Depot has these new models available to order online only. They will ship to your home for free! Dealers will also have a very limited in-store stock for the next few months. I highly recommend if you want one to get it ordered now!

[schema type=”review” url=”https://movingsnow.com/2015/2015-toro-snowmaster-models-36001-724-zxr-36002-724-qxe-36003-824-qxe-review/” name=”2015 Toro SnowMaster Review” description=”Toro officially announced the new Toro SnowMaster this week. This new snow blower will significantly change how many of us perform snow removal. This new snow blower is powerful, yet lightweight and has all the features you need to quickly remove a 2 to 10 inch snowfall. The new Toro SnowMaster will clear your driveway 30% faster than traditional two-stage snow blowers and can handle up to 18 inches of snow!” rev_name=”2015 Toro SnowMaster” rev_body=”This new Toro is great for someone who gets many light snows and an occasional heavy snow. I feel it will be just the right size for a paved driveway up to 2 cars wide and 60 to 150 feet long. It will handle heavy, wet snow.” author=”Paul Sikkema” pubdate=”2015-09-09″ user_review=”9″ min_review=”1″ max_review=”10″ ]

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About The Author

About Paul Sikkema
Paul Sikkema has been writing about snow blowers, riding mowers and other lawn and garden equipment for over 10 years. Paul does most his writing out in his workshop where he feeds the wildlife and birds in the yard. His goal is to have a red squirrel eating out of his hand.
He spends as much time with his granddaughter as he can.

145 Comments

Raja E

Hi Paul, I am looking to buy a new snow blower but there are too many options and I am not sure which one to buy. I have 3 cars side entry garage. It would be ideal to get a snow blower that can throw snow 40 ft or more. I live in CT and we get wet snows between 4 to 8 inches. It looks like Husqvarna ST227P, Troy-Bilt Storm 2625, Cub Cadet 526 SWE and Ariens Deluxe 28 all can get the job done. Which would you recommend? Also, what is your take on 3 stage snow blowers? Thank you for your help.

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January 28, 2019

Paul

Hi Raja, If you want the best snow blower for handling wet snow among the ones you listed the Ariens Deluxe 28 beats the rest by a long ways.

Christopher Strah

I live in Cleveland and am looking for a new snow blower. We have a 1-car driveway with a sizable concrete area between our house and detached garage. Right now I’m very interested in the Toro 726 QXE, but have come across a very good deal on a `1-year old Ariens Deluxe 28 for $650. I’ve checked out the Ariens and

Which of these two is the better machine? Is there one you would recommend for my situation?

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January 23, 2019

Paul

Hi Christopher, If the Deluxe 28 is a model 921046 (it’s on the nameplate on the rear frame of the snow blower) that’s a great deal and I’d jump on it! Especially, if you live where you can get lake effect. It won’t plug on heavy/wet snow. If it’s a 921022 or 921027 don’t buy it. The 921046 has the revised transmission and it steers much better than the older versions.

The Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE (36002) is a decent snowblower but it only throws about 25 feet. If your concrete area needs to be all thrown in one direction you may have to throw some of the snow twice. But, it’s fast and a really good snow blower for 2-12 inches of snow.

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January 23, 2019

Brian

Hi Paul Based on your recommendation I purchased the Toro 724QXESnowmaster in 2015. This snowblower works very well. It is perfect for the snowfall we get in Fairfield County CT. I followed your advice and use premium high octane gas with a stabilizer. I happen to like Stabil marine grade. I change the oil at the end of the snow season and let the engine run until all the gas has been used up and the snowblower shuts off. We are forecast to get 2″ – 5″ tomorrow 12/09/2017. I just got the Snowmaster out, filled it with fresh premium high octane gas with the Stabil stabilizer added to the gas tank and primed the engine 3 times. The Snowmaster started on the first pull. It always does. Toro Snowblowers are a no brainer.

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December 8, 2017

justin

I have a snowmaster. It spins its wheels too often for my liking. Is it possible to fit chains on it? If so, what size chains should I order?

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February 14, 2017

Paul

Hi Justin, Look at the side of the tire. The tire size is listed there. I boiled down the list of chains on Amazon and you size will be listed there – somewhere. Amazon Snow Blower Tire Chains

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February 14, 2017

Mike

Paul, I live in Deerfield, IL. and have a 4 car asphalt driveway 60 ft long.My 179cc MTD single stage blower cannot move the snow that the city plows leave. What is a good replacement snowblower for me?

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February 14, 2016

Paul

Hi Mike, If you bought the single stage for the speed I will suggest the Toro SnowMaster 724 as a good replacement. It can handle the end-of-driveway snow well and it’s a lot faster than a 2-stage machine like the Craftsman 88173.

Karl Stoler

This Snowblower is fantastic! It replaced a 4 year old Cub Cadet 221LP single stage which did a good job, but was made very poorly. The Snowmaster cuts through drifts, throws snow far, and is extremely easy to use. I can’t believe the difference the personal pace system makes compared to the single stage. Live in Cleveland it works awesome. The construction is solid, parts engineered to last, and a great value.

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February 13, 2016

Scott

Hi, Paul.

Do you happen to know a dealer in the Denver who sells both the Ariens path pro & Toro 721 so I can compare them side by side.

Thanks, Scott

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February 12, 2016

Paul

Hi Scott, No I don’t but. Go to Toro.com and Ariens.com and use their dealer locator tabs to find you local dealers.

If there is no one who sells both, just call ahead and find two dealers with the models so you can look at them the same day.

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February 12, 2016

Scott

Hi, Paul.

Looking @ the Ariens Path pro 938033, it does look interesting. The issue is, I have not seen it in person, and my local HD is online only for the path pro. I read your review on it. It does have most of what I am looking for.

The remote chute looks to be a gear where it clicks in its set spots to adjust chute, not near as smooth as the quick shoot the toro has.

Since you have actually used this Ariens in person and reviewed it, I do have some questions for you, your opinion of course.

Does it actually clean to the pavement as well as the Toro QZR721 with its “Power Curve” technology?

Even though the engine is just a slight bit smaller, does it have the power of the Toro?

Toro doesn’t rate the torque as Ariens does, do you think it will throw the snow as far as the toro, I know it depends on the type of snow, etc, etc?

Will it do as good a job as my 28yr old faithful Toro CCR2000 with some of the new luxuries these single stages have these day?

Our snow, this year we have got 2 larger snows, one 9″ and one 13″. Normally we only get maybe 4 larger snows in a season and a few 4″ – 5″ snows.

One big feature I did like on my QZR621 before the engine decided to leak oil everywhere was Toro’s “Pivoting” scraper bar, it didn’t hit every expansion joint in the concrete.

What type of scraper bar does the Ariens have? In there Youtube video the Project Manager of Ariens Products talks about about “A 2 position scraper bar to let the customer choose”? Do you know what they meant by that?

I never wait till the end of the snow to clear my driveway, I always go out a couple times to clear the driveway.

I just hate to buy something online without seeing it in person, even though it does check off a lot of my wants.

Paul, Thank you for your insight. Its appreciated.

Scott

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February 3, 2016

Paul

Hi Scott, You are welcome to use the dealer locator on Ariens.com to find a local Ariens dealer near you. Give them a call and see if they have a Path Pro you can look at. Be aware, there are five Path Pro models and they are all the same except for engine size, electric start and the remote chute control on the 208EC model. So you can look at any of them to check out the questions you have.

So, Toro has the best chute controls – period. That said, the Path Pro control is very easy to use and is very similar in how it operates to the Toro.

You can adjust the Ariens to clean like the Toro or so the paddles don’t touch the ground. Contractors use that second position so they don’t wear the paddles out so quickly. Contractors will put more wear on their snow blowers in one storm as you would in 3 years.

Single stage snow throwers in general ride over expansion joints and cracks well. The paddles pull you over the obstruction.

All of the 208-212cc engine’s power are too close to measure. The Ariens and new Toro’s will all throw farther than your CCR2000. At least my neighbor’s will barely throw snow over a 6 foot snow bank. At the end of the season here his snow banks are higher than his pickup. I use a 2-stage and my banks are usually 3 feet or less because I can throw the snow much farther.

Yes, you know these snow blowers don’t throw 13 inches well. Getting out in the middle of a big storm saves you alot of frustration with a single stage.

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February 3, 2016

Scott

Hi, Paul.

I live in Colorado, near Denver.

I may have made a mistake purchasing the Toro Snowmaster 724 QXE. I say this because I have never had a 2 stage and didn’t understand the cleaning of the pavement as a 1 stage does.

I have always had single stage machines and do currently have a ccr2000 however decided to get a different snowblower because of the loud and smelly engine of the 2000.

In the past several years, I have had a Toro QZR621, Honda HS620, 2 Toro CCR2000’s and now this Toro Snowmaster. brought back the Toro 621 due to the engine kept leaking. keep going back to the noisy CCR 2000’s.

My main issue and partially my fault is not reading completely about 2 stage, single stage and the snowmaster and how it cleans to the pavement.

I have looked at reviews, seen the videos of people clearing the large Jan blizzard back east, etc. Somehow when reading the reviews I guess I overlooked the snowmaster not clearing tire tracks / packed snow or if I did read it, I guess it may not have registered.

Packed snow is a big issue.

We park both of our cars in the garage and I have a large 3 car driveway that faces north, not a lot of snow melting due to the sun.

This thing is horrible when it comes to getting the tire tracks taken care of.

I understand that not having an auger hitting it and just a scraper bar it shouldn’t get rid of the the tracks completely, however the tracks and then about 6″ on each side of the track it just rides up.

When I am doing my driveway it comes to a complete stop when it hits one of the tire tracks, and the tires spin.

Having 4 impressions from both cars, then missing about 6 inches on each side of the tracks is about 6ft to 7 ft of driveway all the way to the end of the driveway that is not getting done and leaves at least 1″ of hard snow.

Maybe there is a trick? I Have went fast over them so the scraper hits them hard? I have went slow? I have went at the tracks from the side, etc, no resolve.

My dream snowblower would be near the snowmaster, I want self propel such as the personal pace, exposed engine with for easy to perform maintenance, such as the snowmaster, a chute deflector that is like the quck shoot on the Toro 721 or the quick stick as on the snowmaster, and the weight of or around a single stage machine.

Do you have any suggestions what you have done or heard of that helps?

I am still in my return window to return it.

Thank You,

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February 2, 2016

Paul

Hi Scott, There is no trick, but there are a few solutions that many of us do.

If you don’t want tire tracks left on your driveway:
1. If you only have a two stage snow blower you don’t drive on it until the snow is cleared. I have one neighbor with a 300 foot driveway and he works nights. If he gets home and there is snow on his drive he will leave the car by the road and walk to the house to clear his driveway so he doesn’t get the tire tracks.
2. Many of us own both a 2-stage and a single stage snow blower. We need a 2-stage for 3-4 snows a year that range from 6 to 20 inches. Also for gravel and turf. But we also get a lot of snow that are 1-4 inches or so of heavy wet slop or a patio or deck where the 2-stage is too big. I have a patio that is made with old street pavers. It’s too rough for a 2-stage to clear well so the single stage works great.
3. Others own a flat, steel shovel. I use a flat shovel on my back steps. The steps face north, the dogs pack the snow down so I use the shovel to clean it off. I also use the shovel to clean areas that are too tough for a single stage. Fro example, I live on an ambulance route so the plows leave me a really slippery, frozen pile at the end of the driveway. Sometimes a single stage won’t cut through it so I have to use the flat shovel. Here is the shovel I’m talking about: Bond Manufacturing LH003 Long Handled Fiberglass Square Point Shovel. I prefer a fiberglass handle in the winter.
4. Some people don’t care. A lot of areas of the country the temperature fluctuates enough that tires tracks only last for a week or so. The Sun will come out enough that it melts the remaining snow off your drive.

Gas single stage snow throwers have rubber strips on the auger. Typically, you can lift up on the handles and those rubber strips will touch the ground clearing the snow right down to the hard surface. They don’t work on grass or gravel. Most of them have low front openings and only handle up to 6 inches or so well. Two stage snow blowers don’t clean right to the pavement and have a scraper bar under the front of the snow blower. You need to keep a small gap under that metal scraper or the snow blower will get stuck on every crack or expansion joint in your driveway and sidewalk. The SnowMaster is in between. It uses a scraper bar but it is designed to ride on the pavement and will glide over most cracks and expansion joints. It actually clean more snow off your drive than a 2-stage but won’t clean packed down snow like a good two stage will.

There is nothing else on the market like the SnowMaster and nothing like your dream snow-machine. But I’ll bet that MTD in particular will have some variation of it by 2017.

Jon

It’s the first snowblower I’ll be purchasing. And an upgrade from the single stage one my dad had. I live in Winchester va – right smack in the heart of the 36″ that was just dropped. I don’t care a whole lot for Bells and whistles. I care more about reliability and durability. Leaning towards the snow master do to the simplicity but the craftsman seems to really offer a lot more for just an additional $50. I have a typical suburban 2 car driveway 20 x 80. Any advice?

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January 26, 2016

Paul

Hi Jon, Sorry for the delay, It’s been a wonderfully busy week.

Of the 5 you list my first choice would be the 826 OE. It has the best chute control, a good engine and won’t clog on heavy, wet snow. I read you other comment and for $100 more the 826 OXE is even a better choice. Both you and you wife can handle it easily. It has automatic steering so there are no triggers to learn for the steering. It will handle 2 inches or the 36 you got over the weekend.

The rest. The Craftsman is under powered compared to the 824 Snow master. It is comparable to the 724 SnowMaster. The Husqvarna has been a good choice for many people this year and it’s biggest feature is you can adjust the handle height.

Both the Craftsman and Troy-Bilt have low handles. If you are over 5’9″ you may feel they are too low. The Troy-Bilt is a basic snow blower. Like the Toro 826 OE it does not have power steering so your wife may have problems turning it.

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January 28, 2016

Ron

I live in Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia and across the river from Trenton, NJ. We have an asphalt driveway (2-car wide, 30 foot long) and a 40 foot sidewalk that will need clearing. I have no prior experience with snow blowers.

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January 26, 2016

Paul

Hi Ron, The Toro SnowMaster is a very good choice for the amount of snow you get and the size of what you need to clear.

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January 26, 2016

Carl

Tire size is 4.10-4. I can find a lot of chains for 4.10 X 3.50-4 but not sure if this will work.

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January 24, 2016

Paul

@Carl, they will work.

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January 24, 2016

Carl Booth

Paul, got to finally try out the 824 Snowmaster today with the blizzard that came through Daleville, VA just outside of Roanoke. Worked really well where the kids had not walked. Where they had walked and packed it down was really hard to get through. Thanks for the recommendation back in October. What normally took 4 hours with 3 people shoveling took only 1.5 hours with the snowmaster. My boy cleaned several of the neighboring driveways also and will do more tomorrow. He has asked for chains due to some of the driveways being steep and the wheels slipping. Any recommendations?
Also someone suggested that I spray the blower and chute down with Pam or some other cooking spray. Do you recommend this, something else, or nothing at all. Thanks again.
Carl

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January 23, 2016

Paul

Hi Carl, If the snow is not sticking and building up you don’t need the cooking spray. That was needed years ago when the snow blowers were painted and the paint would oxidize. Todays snow blower have a powder coat paint that is baked on and is a lot more slippery.

I could not find chains for those wheels. Here is a link to all I could find. Snow blower chains

I’m not home to look at the tires but I would try 1/4 inch long sheet metal screws in the nubs of the tires. Don’t get them too long that they puncture the tire. They should give you enough “scratch” so he can go up and down those slopes easier.

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January 23, 2016

Mike

Paul, We got about a 3 inch snow here in Salina and I got to use the new snowblower. I loved it!!! Personal Pace worked awesome and it through the snow really well. Way better than the 826oxe just because with the snowmaster I could actually handle it. It was just the right size. Even did the neighbors for them it worked so well and was just a real pleasure to use.

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January 22, 2016

Paul

HI Mike, Great, It’s so fast compared to a 2-stage I’ll bet you can’t wait for the next snow!

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January 22, 2016

Tom

Hi Paul,
I am wondering about the new snow master personal pace at the end of the driveway where the plow leaves a compacted pile of snow. When the unit hits this and you are walking doesn’t the personal pace just make the wheels spin? I know even with a 2 stage blower this pile can slow you down quite quickly, so you will actually be pushing harder. I have 14 years experience with a Toro personal pace mower so I know how it works.

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January 20, 2016

Paul

Hi Tom, I’ve only had a chance to run it through a 10 inch plow pile and then about 12 inches out on the lawn. The plow pile went well, but the lawn took me 50 feet or so to figure out.

1. With most 2-stage snowblowers when you try to clear turf the wheels don’t have enough traction and you end up pushing and helping the snow blower along. With the Snow Master it actually had too much traction, meaning when you pushed on the Personal Pace it caused the front to push up. It didn’t run out of traction even clearing a foot of snow. I think this is because the Snow Master is so much lighter than a 2-stage and the weight of the snow thrower is directly over the wheels. It took me a while to not push so hard on the Personal Pace and I even started to lift up on the handles to keep the front of the unit down. The PP works like your mower but it doesn’t have the front end weight your mower has so the wheels don’t loose traction as quickly. It doesn’t handle like a 2-stage at all.

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January 20, 2016

Mike

Paul,
I had a Toro 826OXE and it was just to much for me. I honestly never got to use it except one light snow last year at the end of the season that I could have done with my blower but just couldn’t resist playing. Today I traded it for a Toro 824QXE straight across plus $50 credit this spring for a new lawn mower and made them throw a t-shirt in. I have a 3 car x 3 car drive way on a pretty good slope. Street gets very little traffic. The salesman told me that if I’m not happy to come back and he will make it right but he is very impressed with these new SnowMaster series. What do you think? Did I make the right decision. Location is central KS.
Thanks,
Mike

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January 20, 2016

Paul

Hi Mike, Well, you did get a good deal on the trade. Salina only averages 19 inches a year so a 2-stage snow blower is really not needed. The only time you would want 2-stage is if you live in an open area and when it does snow you get 3-4 foot drifts.

So, If you can’t remember the last time you got a drift over 20 inches the 824 will be a great choice.

I average 50 inches a year. I bought the 824 for myself and I am going to try using it all winter. So far, it’s worked well on 4 inches of wet snow and 10 inches of “normal” snow.

I live in Anoka County Minnesota. I have a flat concrete driveway, 2 cars wide by about 3 deep, on an average residential street, and really no sidewalks to worry about. I am debating between the Toro 824 QXE or the Husqvarna ST224P for about $50 dollars more. I think the Husqvarna would leave me prepared for just about any snowy occasion, but I really like the idea of a faster clear time and easy maneuverability with the Snowmaster. I also think added power of the 824 (as opposed to the 724) would be ample to clear remnants from the plows at the end of the driveway. I know from reading the reviews both are very good machines. Is there any reason you can think of I should get one opposed to the other?

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January 12, 2016

Paul

Hi Paul, I really don’t have a satisfactory answer for you. We just don’t have enough experience with the new SnowMaster to say it can always replace a 24 inch two stage all the time. I have the 824 here and I will use it all this winter so I’ll have a much better answer for you next year 🙂 So far, I like it a lot and it is a lot faster than using a typical 2-stage. Have you seen the Video?

If you don’t get any drifting and you can live with throwing the snow 15-30 feet I would go with the 824 SnowMaster. I know Toro states it will throw 40 feet but that’s under ideal snow and conditions.

The ST224P will throw the snow farther and it can handle 20 inch drifts.

Sorry for the dumb question, but if you get a snow greater than 18″ is it simply a matter of having to do several passes or will the machine not work in deeper snow?

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January 5, 2016

Paul

2Steve, That’s not a dumb question. There is a lot of info to consume and we don’t always explain everything well.

18 inches is the height of the front intake on the SnowMaster. So you should be able to power it into a drift 18 inches deep and it will eat through it. If the snow is deeper you will have to push down on the handles to raise the front end up, move ahead a foot or so, pull it back and take another push into the pile. It’s not that it can’t handle the snow, it just won’t clear more than 18 inches in one pass.

On paper that sounds hard but it’s just like cutting tall grass with a push mower. When cutting grass 2 feet tall you push down on the mower handle to raise the front up. Push it forward to knock the grass down. then pull it back and push it forward again to finish the cut.

After a lot of research and recommendation from your site, I purchased the Toro Snowmaster 724 QXE. I live in northern NJ and I have a two car driveway that can fit 4 cars. I’ve used my neighbors Ariens 2-stage for the last two years, and I’ve felt that it’s a little overkill. I’m thinking (hoping) that this will be a perfect fit. Still waiting on our first snowfall.

Anyway, this is my first snowblower, so aside from fuel stabilizer that you’ve suggested in a number of posts, is there anything else that you recommend I do to maintain it? I’ve read the instruction manual provided by Toro, but I thought I would reach out to the expert.

Thanks in advance,
Adam

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December 29, 2015

Paul

Hi Adam, this new snow blower is about as simple as a push mower so I don’t see anything that will have to be maintained besides the fuel stabilizer and changing the oil once a year. I do suggest that after you use it the first time go through the manual and check the bolts used in the assembly manual to put the chute and handles on.

Thanks so much for your response and recommendation of the Troy-Bilt Storm-Tracker 2890 and the Toro 826 OXE. All my local friends say get a Honda, and one recommends a track drive for my driveway. So here are two perhaps naive questions:

1. Are Hondas really that much more reliable than other brands, such as the Toros you seem to love? Others say with Hondas you can start it with a single pull.
2. If the Toro 826 OXE, which is a wheel drive, can also do the grade on my driveway, what about the Honda 7xx series? The specs don’t seem to be quite as good (for ex the Toro 826 has a more powerful motor). How do you know what wheeled drives can work for steeper driveways?

Thanks so much.

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December 20, 2015

Paul

Evan, I based my recommendation of the Storm-Tracker 2890 on fact that most of the time you use a plow service and you mainly needed it for cleanup. The snow blower will do that very well. I suggested the Toro 826 Power Max specifically on the same reasoning. It’s a good small unit where the weight of the machine is all on the wheels. It has better traction than most. (there are only 5 wheeled snow blowers that work well on slopes) You also don’t have a large driveway so buying a larger machine doesn’t make sense to me. You also wanted a machine that was lightweight and easy to use. Both of these snow blowers are just that.

Now, to Honda’s. Honda had a great reputation because they were the first company to use Overhead Valve Engines. When they moved into the U.S. instead of designing a residential grade engine for snow blowers they just took their existing horizontal shaft engine which they had designed for commercial use and threw it on the snow blowers. It ended up being the best thing they could have done. Why? Because at that time the rest of the U.S. industry was still fighting for the lowest cost and we were still using the old L-head Tecumseh and Briggs engines. So, from around 2003-2007 Honda had the only reliable engine in town. From 2007-2009 we started to get better engines but another problem arose. We designed the engines to run on gasoline but between the time we designed them and the time they were in general use the government required everyone to include ethanol and other crap in our fuel. The industry was not ready for ethanol melting gas lines and carbs. Basically Honda was able to adapt better than the other engine manufacturers at that time which allowed them to have a better reputation.

One more paragraph on the Honda’s reputation. So the engine was better but I could never understand why people liked the snow blower itself. The controls were very awkward to use and it had a solid axle drive. To turn it you had to skid the tracks. It’s like putting an old upright piano out on your driveway with no casters under it and trying to turn it around….You were looking at the SnowMaster because it is easy to use. The Honda HS series is one of the hardest snow blowers to use. Yes, it starts reliably, but so do all the other current engines on the market. But that is not the real reason I can’t recommend a Honda at this time.

The rest of the industry has caught up to the Honda’s reliability. In particular, the LCT engine on the Husqvarna/Ariens and the Toro Premium will prove to be as reliable as the Honda – if not better.

Now, lets talk about the 2015 Honda’s. First, have you seen one of the 2015 HSS models? I still have not heard that they are actually shipping them to the dealers. If you don’t know Honda moved their assembly line from Japan to South Carolina this year and they have had a few problems getting the new machines put together. They were supposed to ship in July and as of December 10 they still have not shipped yet. I can’t recommend buying “Vaporware” even with Honda’s name on the crate. Until they get them out on driveways blowing snow…..

Second, the price, I know Honda can pretty much charge whatever they want and there will always be someone who had a Honda before who would buy another one today but the rest of us can not justify two to three times the money for something we only use 20-60 hours a year. Now, I have only seen the show models they had at GIE-EXPO this year but if I put any one of those next to the Toro 826 OXE I would not be able to find one comparion to make the Honda worth almost 3 times as much. Hell, For half the money of the HSS 724 ATD, 7 hp, 24 inch Honda I could get the two toughest 28 inch snow blowers on the market.

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December 20, 2015

Andy

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the fast and thorough reply! I think I will definitely consider the Craftsman based on your recommendation. I’ll forget the Troy-Bilt options — I talked to a Lowe’s salesman and you’re right, the way service is handled and what is covered just doesn’t seem worth it to me compared to the Sears coverage.

One last question if you don’t mind: I had originally dismissed the Toro Powermax option thinking that if I went with that brand then the Snowmaster was the better choice for me. Now that I’m back to thinking about a true 2-Stage, can you compare a Powermax 724 or 826 with the Craftsman before I buy it? I still like the Craftsman’s service option, Zero-Turn and quiet engine, but Toro’s Anti-Clogging System and no need for shear pins is also tempting. But it’s hard with my inexperience to decide which of these has more real world value.

Thanks again!

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December 11, 2015

Paul

Hi Andy, The Power Max 724 OE and 826 OE do not have power steering so they are harder to turn than the 88694. The Power Max 826 OXE has the automatic steering and at $999 is one of my top choices for an easy to use snow blower. There are no triggers for the steering on it – you just move the handles and it release the locking differential automatically. It very easy to use. I am working on a review of the 826 OXE but it will be at least a week before I get it done.

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December 12, 2015

Andy

Hi Paul,

I’m about to buy a house in Lincoln Nebraska so I am in the market for my first snowblower and, having never used one before, I want to be sure I know what I’m looking for before it’s too late. I have always lived in and around Lincoln so I am familiar with our winters, just never had to get a snowblower until now. So after living on your site for the past week or so I’ve got it narrowed down to about 4 choices but I thought I’d get your opinion before I make the purchase.

I am almost sure the Toro Snowmaster 824 is the right one for me after reading this article. I will have a two car driveway, I’d say about 20’x50′ and nearly flat. Also the typical sidewalks but nothing extensive. I like the Toro because from your reviews it’s very first time-user friendly, the personal pace looks ideal and it sounds like it will handle just about everything I’m going to see. We typically get snows that are in the 4-8″ range at most but 10-15″ once every year or two. I expect there will be some drifting in this neighborhood but not nearly like outside of town. And I’m just guessing that the plow pile at the end of the street will be an issue but not a huge one. I also don’t mind breaking out the shovel as needed.

The others I’m considering are the Troy-Bilt Flex system, the Craftsman 88694, and the Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490.

The Troy-Bilt Flex is hugely tempting because I love the concept and will also be needing a mower and power washer, but it just seems that they skipped too many features on this system for really no reason. The trigger style variable speed doesn’t seem to have people too happy and the tiny fully-manual adjusted chute looks like it wouldn’t do much throwing. I get that it would be hard to implement a quick adjust stick on that system but I have no idea why they put a chute on it that is literally half the size of their comparable 26″ model. But there again, I’ve never owned a snowblower before so I’ll take your opinion if these aren’t big issues because I do like the system overall.

The Craftsman 88694 is also very tempting, based solely on the quiet engine and the at-home repair, but otherwise it seems I could get the same features and more power from the Troy-Bilt Storm 2625 if I really wanted to go that way. But garage space is kind of limited so a 24″ or the Flex is a bit preferable. Not a deal breaker though.

Lastly the Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490 looks like a great machine in terms of never having to worry about the freak storms and plow piles. I’ve read one of your reviews that says it’s a quality build and definitely heavy duty, and I was almost set on this one until I read another review you wrote last year on the same machine has me thinking it wouldn’t be right considering we get more >8″ snows than anything else. I also see that Craftsman has a nearly identical machine in the Pro series 24″ three stage, but it’s about $150 more and I don’t think it has heated handles. Can you comment as to whether it’s any better than the Troy-Bilt if I go this route? I’ll live less than a mile from Lowes, but hauling shipping and waiting would still be annoying compared to Sears, but an extra $300 for the Sears home service plan on top of the already high price is a deterrent. These are by far the most expensive on my list and I don’t want to throw money way unnecessarily but I don’t mind spending the money if it’s the right choice.

Thanks for your help!

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December 9, 2015

Paul

Hi Andy, Thanks for your complete thoughts.

I agree that the Vortex or Craftsman Pro will not be a good choice. If you lived out of town where you got the car-high drifts it may be a good choice but since you don’t get those high winds they are overkill.

The Craftsman 88694 is an excellent choice. It has adequate power for your area and the nice quiet engine. If you want to get the optional protection plan – it covers repairs at your home, warranty repairs and most wear and tear items. It also covers the engine not starting (everything except stale fuel)

Yes, the Troy-Bilt 2625 has a larger engine but if you decide to go with it be sure you understand Lowes warranty repair on that machine. They don’t have an extended plan that covers wear and tear.

I agree with you, the Flex is a great idea but there are too many shortcuts in it (to keep the cost down) If I was a new inexperienced home owner I would be very tempted to buy the system, but my problem is I know what a good snow blower looks like and a good mower looks like and the Flex system is average at best. I also know I can buy a comparable pressure washer for about the same money and I can buy one of the best homeowner models on the market for only $100 more: Generac 6598 3,100 PSI 2.7 GPM 212cc OHV Gas Powered Residential Pressure Washer. But what do I know Tools In Action just gave it their “Most Innovative Outdoor Power Equipment” award.

If a lot of your neighbors have single stage snow blowers and they say they work just fine than I would consider the SnowMaster. It is very easy to use. But….If they all have 2-stage snow blowers I will guess that you actually get more snow than you think and you really need a 2-stage.

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December 10, 2015

Al

Paul,

Can the Toro SnowMaster be raised on skids up to two inches to allow clearing of a stone driveway? The driveway is one car width and about 60 feet long. The driveway surface is small crushed stones about 1″ long. There aren’t any obstructions to prevent blowing the snow at least 20 feet or more feet without hitting anything. All the other criteria for picking the Toro SnowMaster apply, so I’d like to use this unit instead of a larger, two-stage snow blower like the Ariens. I probably would buy larger skids from SnowBlowerSkids.com if the Snow Master can be adapted to larger skids just for peace of mind in snow blowing about 2 inches above the stones.

Thanks for your inputs. Great web site!

AL

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December 8, 2015

Paul

Hi Al, I asked Toro this question and their official answer is, “It is designed for hard surfaces.”

In my opinion this makes sense. This snow thrower is essentially a single stage so the front auger easily spins 10 times faster than the auger on a 2-stage. This means if you tried to use it on gravel and it picked up a rock it has enough force to dent your car, break house windows and puncture your vinyl siding.

To specifially answer your question The skid shoes only adjust enough to compensate for the wear on the scraper bar under the front auger. The slots only have about 3/8 inch adjustment.

I live near Lake Tahoe in CA where the snow is wet. This year, snow every week, mostly 3-5″ but some heavier ones at up to 12″ in a day. My driveway is 2-car wide by maybe 40-50′, sloping downwards towards garage at mostly 20 deg angle or so, except part closest to street maybe 30 deg for a few feet. Paved not gravel. One guy recommended a track drive for me, but I have a bad back and hate how heavy the 2-stagers are. I’m hoping this Toro could be the magic bullet for me (maybe the 36002 with the electric start – would like the wife to be able to use it a bit also – another reason for the weight being a difference). Oh, we use a driveway snow removal co, so we really just need something to clear enough of the driveway in heavy snow to prevent freezing. If not Toro, any recommendations? Many thanks.

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December 6, 2015

Paul

Hi Evan, I am concerned that the SnowMaster will not have enough throwing distance to throw snow over a tall snow plow bank. I’m also concerned that it will be too light and not get enough traction going up that slope.

There is one track drive that fairly lightweight and it does steer very well. You just need to learn to use the trigger steering instead of muscling the snow blower. It balanced well so there is very little front end weight to deal with. It’s the Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890 277cc 4-cycle Electric Start Specialty Snow Thrower. I gave you link through Amazon but your local Lowe’s may be able to get it also.

There is one 2-stage that is very easy to use and will have enough power to throw snow over tall snow plow piles. I feel it will have enough traction for your drive. It’s the Toro 826 OXE.

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December 6, 2015

Brian

Hi Paul, I have a Toro powerlite 16″ and have been using it for 7 winters in Toronto, Canada. It is really a small powerful snowblower. Most snow falls are less than 4 inches and ocassionally 10 to 15 (only 2 to 3 times every season), total average snow fall is about 60 inches. My driveway is about 50 ft x 30 ft and have a 70 ft long sidewalk. The end of driveway stuff is a bit difficult for the powerlite to handle, need to be patient and sometime need to break them up manually first. Now, I am considering Toro 724 OE and the Toro 724 QXE as a replacement and keep the powerlite for light snow. Power and easy of handling are my criteria. I am a bit unsure if I can easily manoeuvre the 724 OE since it does not have power steering like the 724 QXE. What would be your suggestion?
Toro 826 OXE is too big to fit in my garage.
Much appreciated.

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December 2, 2015

Paul

Hi Brian, The 724 OE is not as easy but 90% of us will be able to use it well. Under normal use you can move a pin on one wheel, that wheel then free-wheels and it will then be easy to turn. If you get to a point on your driveway where the snow blower needs more traction just put the pin back in and both wheels then have traction. The industry calls that “pin-lock” steering.

Hi Paul,
I’m in Springfield, IL on a low traffic street and am hoping to convince my husband that the Snow Master will both clear (to the surface) our steeply sloped 2-car wide concrete driveway and, depending upon prevailing wind direction and speed, throw the snow into an area about 10′ wide and not into our neighbor’s drive. We are both in our mid-50’s and I am looking for an easier/safer solution to snow removal (other than moving to AZ or FL).

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November 26, 2015

Paul

Hi Valerie, The SnowMaster uses a scraper under it like a 2-stage so there will be times when it won’t clean right down to the pavement. For example, if you drove over the snow with your car it won’t clean those car tracks. But, that said, it’s a perfect snow blower for your area.

The only snow thrower that will clean right down to the pavement is a true single stage like the Toro 721 E.

Mike

Hi Paul,

Have seen only one negative review of these new Snowmaster units – from a user on the Home Depot site. That person indicates the auger speed is proportional to travel speed. Is that right? I thought the auger spun a fixed speed independent of the speed of the CVT.

Thanks , Mike

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November 23, 2015

Paul

Hi Mike, No, the new owner does not understand his snow blower. The auger runs at a constant rate about 10 times faster than the front auger on a 2-stage. I have a feeling his real problem was he was trying to throw wet, sloppy slush. None of the snow blowers on the market do well with that kind of snow. Before I go to bed I am going to go into more detail on the SnowMaster in a comment over on the 2015 Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE, 824 QXE Picture Review Article. Give me 20 minutes to make that response.

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November 23, 2015

Brian

Hi Paul Great site. Lots of information. I live in Darien CT and historically we get 30″ of snow in the winter. I have a 12′ wide asphalt driveway that is about 120′ long. The driveway is flat. I liked your review of the Toro Snowmaster. Would this be a good fit for me? If not could you recommend a couple of options.

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November 23, 2015

Paul

Hi Brian, I have been saying that the SnowMaster will work for people on Long Island. You get about the same snow so the snow blower will handle it – but. Their driveways are typically only one third the length of yours.

I usually suggest a 26-28 inch snow blower for a drive your size. So her are a few for you to think about. I feel these are all good snow blowers.

Brian

Thanks for the quick response and the recommendations. I am still really intrigued by the 724 QXE Model 36002. And for ease of use, durability and easy maintenance I still may get it. Do you recommend the 26-28 inch because I will finish the job faster?

I go for a true 2 stage I think I will stick to a 24″ model to save some money.

Brian

Hi

Thanks again for your quick and thoughtful responses. Yours is one of the best review websites I have ever come across.

I am really torn between the Craftsman 88172 and the Snowmaster 36002. I can get the Snowmaster for $699 with free shipping on Acmetools.com. I might end up flipping a coin. I think I would be happy with either.

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November 24, 2015

Paul

Hi Brian, The SnowMaster has more power, is faster and is easier to use. The Craftsman will handle deeper snows (up to 20 inches)

Nick

Paul

Thanks for all of the information. This will be my sixth winter in my house. I am finally breaking down and purchasing a snow blower. I live in Central Minnesota on a main throughfare. I have a two car concrete driveway and about 75ft of sidewalk to clear. I am down to the Cub Cadet 524 SWE and the Toro Snowmaster 724 QXE. Is there anything that jumps out at you, that would make spending the extra $50 for the SWE worth it? The only reason I am still considering the SWE is when we do get our two or three larger snowfalls, it gets quite heavy from the city having to throw a little more a little farther onto the sidewalk. Thanks again.

Nick

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November 23, 2015

Paul

Hi Nick, The Cub Cadet will handle deeper snows. If you get a lot of drifting it will handle the deep drifts better. The SnowMaster is lightweight so I feel if the snow plows fill in your sidewalk you may have to get out there and clean it before it settles and freezes in. That’s where the 2-stage Cub Cadet will have the advantage. It’s a good 75 lbs heavier so it will push into those dense plow piles better.

The power steering on the Cub Cadet makes it easy to use.

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November 23, 2015

Nick

Thanks Paul!

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November 23, 2015

Jess

Hello Paul,
We live in the Indianapolis area (not nearly the snowfall of alot of people asking your advice). We are looking to invest in a snow blower as we have been shoveling the past 3 years living here and think a blower might be beneficial 🙂 However I don’t want anything overkill for our snowfalls. What would you recommend? Would the Toro Snowmaster be a good fit for us? We live on a low traffic road and have a 2 car wide drive that is about 3 cars long and sidewalks leading around to doors on the back of the house. What is the real difference between the 36001 and the 36002? Is there a better or cheaper option for us? Again I don’t want to waste money on something that is overkill, but if we are going to invest I want it to be a good investment on a machine that will last and get the job done for years to come 🙂 thanks for any advice you can give!

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November 22, 2015

Paul

Hi Jess, The SnowMaster is a good choice! You only average 25 inches a year but occasionally you can get up to 55 inches. The SnowMaster will clean those many 2-4 inchers quickly and easily but still will be able to handle that 12-14 inch blizzard you sometimes get.

The 36002 has the Quick-Chute and electric start. With the Quick Chute you don’t have to stop the snow blower and walk around to the front to change the direction of where the snow is being thrown. Just grab the top mounted joystick and aim. I really like the Quick-Chute and feel it is worth the extra money you will spend. Electric start is nice. If you or your spouse have a hard time pulling the rope on a push mower you will have the same issue with a snow blower so the electric start can be useful. Also later on when the snow blower is a few years old it can be harder to start and having the electric start then came be a lifesaver.

Jess

Great! Thank you so much for the quick reply! 🙂

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November 22, 2015

Leo

Hi Paul. I’m in Philly western suburbs. I’d say we fit your description that we get more 2-6 inch snows and a occasional 10-14 inches. But every few years or so we seemed get hammered with a 18” plus. I have a lot of driveway. It is flat asphalt, two car wide about 75ft plus a single circular lane about 75ft. Also a square area near garage is about 25×30. I have been using a Columbia 71024PC with 208cc Powermore (its MTD dealer brand). It struggles throwing heavy wet snow in the square area where it needs to clear longer distance (about 15-20 ft). Also it takes a long time to clear the light 3-4 inchers. We seem to get more heavy wet snow. I’ve been considering replacing the Columbia 71024PC with something more powerful like the Toro Powermax 826 OXE or even the 928, but your review of the SnowMaster is intriguing. Sounds like SnowMaster might be a better choice as we usually get 40 inches or less per a year and a lot of smaller snows that can be a pain with my two-stage. I’m thinking the Snowmaster will save tons of time if it can really rip through our more common 3-4 inchers. And it looks like it can still handle most of our other larger storms. For the occasional whoppers I’d just have to make a couple extra passes. My wife uses it often too so the ease of use is attractive. Do you think Snowmaster 824 will be better than my current machine in handling 3-6 inches of wet stuff and clearing the wider parts of drive? And would I be badly missing the 2 stage when we get 12-15 inches? Or would you recommend a more powerful 2-stage if I’m looking for improvement over the Columbia 71024PC 208cc Powermore. My dissatisfaction with the Columbia is not necessarily with the big storms but more with 6 inches of the heavy wet getting clogged and inability to throw far enough.

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November 10, 2015

Paul

Hi Leo, The SnowMaster will be faster on the lighter snows but I don’t expect it to throw long distances all the time. Yes, You would miss the 2-stage for the deep stuff. So I have two suggestions.

1. Many people used to have a 2-stage for the deep stuff and a single stage for the lighter snows. I’ve always done that myself and this year I bought a Snow Master for the light stuff and the patio. I have a heavy duty 27 inch for the deep stuff and for clearing a spot of turf for the dogs. So I suggest buying the Snow Master and then spend $50 on the Columbia. Put new belts, spark plug and oil change and just keep it around for the deeper storms.

2. The Toro 826 OXE will be a lot faster than your old snow blower. The larger engine will handle deeper snows and it throws far under all conditions. It’s not as fast on light stuff as the SnowMaster but if I only wanted one or only had room for one I’d pick the 826 as best choice overall.

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November 10, 2015

Stewart

Hi Paul,

I reside in Iowa and we get a handful of 4-6 inch snowfalls and an occasional dumping of 8-12 inches. I have a 3 car driveway about 60 ft long. I really like the convenience of the personal pace because I know how easy they are since I have a personal pace mower. I’m looking for a new blower that my wife could also handle. I’ve looked at the snow master 724QXE and 824 QXE models and I see the only real difference is motor size. What benefit will the added motor size be also I noticed that there is a lot more plastic on the snow master than on other traditional 2 stage model and does that concern you

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November 8, 2015

Paul

Hi Stewart, Did you know that Captain Kirk and I are also from Iowa? We just work somewhere else…..

All joking aside, if you live north of Interstate 80 I feel the SnowMaster is not the right choice. I remember drifts deeper than my car going to college in Sioux Center and having to use the skid steer to dig out of my father-in-laws driveway north of Parkersburg. The biggest issue with the Snow Master is it will handle 2-14 inches well, but not deeper drifts. If you want to throw the snow all to one side of your three car drive you will have to throw it at least twice. Especially if you are trying to throw against the wind.

If you do live north of I-80 please consider the Power Max 826 OXE instead. For a two stage it is also very easy to use. It uses the same automatic steering as the SnowMaster, it’s balanced well and can throw snow a lot farther than the SnowMaster. I don’t have a review on the 826 at this time but here is a link to check it out: Toro Snow Removal Powermax 826 OXE Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower 37781

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November 8, 2015

Leo

Thanks for advice Paul. Two machines is not a great option as I really don’t have much storage. I have a buyer for my current two stage Columbia. It’s only two years old and in good shape. I just feel like its 208cc Powermore is a bit under-powered for my needs especially on the heavier snow. Understand your recommendation that if you only had one you’d pick the 826 but considering most of our snows are under 8”, and over 12” is pretty rare, it seems we fit the Snowmaster target pretty well. I really like the idea of lighter weight and easier maneuverability of the Snowmaster on my large curved driveway. With the new design of the Snowmaster and considering it uses the same 255cc engine as the 826, do you think the 2 stage will be that much better in our rare 18” storm? And do you think the 255cc Snowmaster will be that much inferior in deeper stuff compared to the smaller 208cc Columbia?

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November 11, 2015

Paul

Hi Leo, I don’t know at this time. I am concerned about how far the SnowMaster will throw really deep, wet snow. They advertise 18 inch snow but that is actually how tall the intake is, not how well it will throw that much. Once we have had a few snows this winter I’ll feel more confident about the actual capabilities compared to what Toro is advertising. I’ve seen is on 5 inches of wet snow but that’s it.

I do know the range of the 826 and I know it throws better and farther than most other snow blowers.

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November 11, 2015

DEBORAH TONELLI

Hello Paul, We live in R.I. & have been through 12+ plow guys because we have a VERY steep, paved & long driveway (30-40 yards?) We have been using a Toro Power Curve 1800 because it’s lightweight for me (& my spiked boots) to handle the hill. Unfortunately the cord restricts us to clearing only the top 3rd of the drive. My husband wants to get a self propel blower but I concerned with holding back the weight while attempting to go up or down the driveway. Without spending the $ (and the weight) of a track blower, could PLEASE suggest ANY machine out there that has the traction needed for us? We need to buy one ASAP. THANK YOU!!! Deb

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October 31, 2015

Paul

Hi Deborah, I was going to suggest the Toro 826 OXE and tire chains for it because it’s balanced and will give you about the best traction you can get in a wheeled snow blower. But, even with chains it still may want to slide down the hill.

Then I remembered that your average snowfall totals are only 30-35 inches and even last year your worst storm was only 19 inches. There are two affordable tracked snow blowers that can handle that type of snow. One is about the same cost as the Toro and the other, more powerful snow blower is only a couple hundred more.

The first snow blower is only available through Lowes or TroyBilt.com. The Troy-Bilt XP Storm Tracker 2690 XP. (Search Troy-Bilt XP Storm Tracker 2690 at Lowes) It has a smaller 208-cc engine, and is a 26-in Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Heated Handles and Headlight. I don’t mention this snowblower often because the engine is a little small for any area of the country that gets more than 50 inches of snow a year. (Also Lowes has chosen not to do business with this site)

The second snowblower, Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890, is a 28 inch and has a more powerful 277 cc engine. I don’t discuss this one often because before this year it was not readily available anywhere. It is a proven design that has been around for a long time. I average a little more snow where I live than you and this snowblower would handle my area well. You can also get this through Lowes or order it from Amazon if Lowes can’t find one. Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890 277cc 4-cycle Electric Start Specialty Snow Thrower

Both of these snowblowers are very easy to drive. Yes, you can use it. If you can walk and use both hands you can use these snow blowers. They have power steering and heated handgrips. They won’t slide down your hill. If your driveway is really steep you can lock the front end about one inch off the ground, clean a path alongside the drive on the grass and these tracked units will climb right up.

You are welcome to continue this discussion with me if I am completely off base.

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October 31, 2015

DEBORAH TONELLI

Paul, I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond but the past week has been crazy) THANK YOU so very very much for taking the time and considerable effort to answer me. Without a doubt, you have more knowledge on this subject than all salespeople combined that we have talked to about our problem! We are hoping to finally get the chance to check out the Troy-Bilts this weekend. I will let you how we make out.
Deb

Great review, Paul. I live in central Connecticut on a busy two lane road. Our driveway has a slight incline and is two cars wide at the top and one car wide towards the road. I am of smaller stature (5’5 135) and would like a easily maneuverable and lighter unit. For the past few seasons I have used various used, non-propelled single stage units. They didnt work well on the end of driveway pile the plow left. I am considering the Snowmaster 824 QXE, Powermax 826 OXE (seems a little big) and the Briggs & Stratton Single Stage Snow Blower with SnowShredder Serrated Auger. I am learning towards the Snowmaster. Thoughts? Thanks!

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October 30, 2015

Paul

Hi David,

If a single stage was not the answer for you the single stage Briggs with the Snow Shredder is not the right choice. Yes, it will break up frozen, hard packed snow better but you still have to push it into the pile. It’s not that big of an advantage over your current single stage to spend the money.

The SnowMaster will do better because the wheels are powered and it will push into the pile. If you were happy with a single stage except for the end-of-driveway it’s a good choice.

But the 826OXE is the best choice for all your snow. It’s heavier so it will push through the end-of-driveway pile well and it will also throw the snow consistently farther than a single stage or the SnowMaster. It is easy to use. It’s balanced well, the chute control is the best and it steers automatically. I can easily recommend the 826 OXE even though you are 135 lbs. If you get a chance go to a Toro Dealer and move one around the sales floor.

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October 30, 2015

Sheldon

Do you have dimensions of the 724 and 824 units? Curious on the footprint the unit incl handle bar will take up folded and not. Can’t find this info on toro.ca.

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October 29, 2015

Paul

Hi Sheldon, The base unit is 26 by 26. Almost the same as your push mower. From the front of housing to the rear edge of the handles it’s 52 inches. To the top of the chute it’s 37 inches and to the top of the Personal Pace handle is 42.

The handles really are not foldable. Yes they come folded in the box but it’s a 10 minute job to unbolt the chute control rod and the handle bolts. I suppose you could do it in the spring and fall but it’s not something you want to do every time you use it. If you are that tight on space I would build a shelf.

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October 30, 2015

Sheldon

The snowblower will sit in front of my summer car right by the garage door opening. However your shelf inspired me and I built one like it for the back of my garage, lawn mower will go under it and recycling bins and few other loose items on top.

Keep up the good work!

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November 1, 2015

Peter Horgan

Hi Paul,

I am trying to decide between two Toro snow throwers. The Snowmaster 724QXE and the Powermax 724OE. I live on Cape Cod and have a paved driveway that is 22’x80′. I have a couple of questions; 1) Is the “clearing tool” on the 724OE a significant advantage ? Does the 724 QXE get clogged with snow a lot ? 2) It sounds like the variable speed drive system on the 724QXE would make the machine more maneuverable than the 724OE ? 3) Is the 724OE significantly more powerful than the 724QXE ? Please let me know what you think and is their another snow thrower that you would recommend in place of these two ?

Thanks for your help,
Peter

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October 21, 2015

Paul

Hi Peter,

The Power Max 724 OE will handle deeper snows (18-20 inches) and MAY throw the snow farther than the SnowMaster 724QXE (16-18 inches). We have not had a chance to test the SnowMaster 724QXE under all conditions but all indications are it will throw snow just as far.

The SnowMaster 724QXE will be faster and is much more maneuverable than the 724OE. The 724OE uses a solid, locked axle so it can be hard to turn. The SnowMaster 724QXE’s Personal Pace drive system is unique and it will be a lot faster than the 5 speed tranny on the 724OE.

Toro snow throwers don’t clog but the government requires that the brands include a clearing tool on all 2-stage snow blowers. You would use this tool instead of your fingers if it ever clogged or you got something stuck inside the snow blower. Never use your hands to unclog anything inside a 2-stage snow blower. The edges are sharp and even with the engine turned off it could cut your fingers off.

The engine on the SnowMaster 724QXE is actually more powerful than the engine on the 724OE. The 724OE will handle deeper snow (see above)

Are these the best ones? If you only get 12 inch or less most of the time with an occasional 15 incher then – yes. If you got 20-24 inchers last year reply back and we’ll look at a couple more options.

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October 27, 2015

Sam

Hi Paul,

I’ve been looking at the different reviews of snowblowers and it’s getting confusing.

I live in Brooklyn, NY, and have a downhill driveway (to the garage) that I share with our neighbor. I used to have a cheaper electric snow blower, but it didn’t really cut it. I used to spend two hours clearing snow!

We park our cars in the driveway, so the snowblowers need to have room to go between the cars. I think that anything larger than a 24 inch is going to be an issue.

I’m looking for a snowblower that can blow the snow up the driveway (hill) and into the street. I like the features and price of the Toro snow master, but I’m worried that it won’t do the job.

Any advise on which blower to get?

Thank you,

Sam

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October 19, 2015

Paul

Hi Sam, I’m also a little torn between the SnowMaster and an economy 2-stage. If you live on a busy street where you get slush and the snow plows throw heavy, wet snow on your driveway I don’t think the SnowMaster is the right choice. If you live on a quieter street where the snow plows give you just a drift of fresh snow then it will work.

Sam

It’s not a busy street, but the snow does pile a little at the edge of the driveway.

It’s a small driveway, the length of one and a half cars.

I like the craftsman, but the SnowMaster seemed to have more functionality and ease of use. Then again, if the snow master needs to push the snow up an additional time, it’s not easier to use.

I haven’t had an issue in the past with slipperiness. I guess I’ll see come snow. Thanks for that advice.

It does sound that you are saying that the snow master is great for pushing snow to the side, but could be questionable with greater distances.

88173 is on sale today for $599, and the discounts they mailed me don’t work. Seems that they aren’t allowing them on a sale item.

My other question is. If I get the craftsman with it’s 2 year limited warranty with an Amex, I have it insured for an extra year with amex insurance. Is it still necessary to buy the Sears warranty?

Thank you,

Sam

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October 27, 2015

Paul

@Sam, Yes, I think the Craftsman will handle dense snow better. $599 is a good price! That’s $70 off the normal sale price. I really wouldn’t expect them to add any other coupons.

I wouldn’t expect you to use the warranty. These Craftsman snowblowers are holding up well. The AMEX does give you the extra peace of mind.

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October 27, 2015

Sam

Thanks Paul!

Ordered the craftsman 88173 with your link with an Amex and then chatted with them for an additional $15 off.

You were a great help!

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October 27, 2015

Sam

Hi Paul,

I ended up getting this snow blower. Haven’t used it yet, but now that I got it and see how big it is, I’m just worried that it’s a little large for the area. I don’t have a large storage area and it will be challenging to get it out of the house (it is doable).

I was wondering if I should change it to the craftsman 22″ 88198. Will the 88198 do the trick?

That being said, I do need to throw the snow up a steep driveway and will definitely make the 88173 work if it saves me an extra hour of work.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you,

Sam

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November 27, 2015

Paul

Hi Sam, Absolutely NOT! The 88198 is a pice if JUNK!. YOU will hate it!

It has only one speed forward and it either too fast or too slow. It does not throw snow more than a few feet. I’ve been trying to get Sears to quit offering it for 10 years. Did I say it’s a piece of JUNK?

The 88173 is ten times the snow blower…and it’s only 4 inches wider than the 88198.

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November 27, 2015

Sam

Thanks Paul!

The main reason was that according to sears website, the 88198 assembled footprint is 35 x 24.5 x 29 in., while the 88173 is about 50″ long. Then again, last year we had at least 10 ‘snow blower size’ snow falls in New York, and I’m not looking for more work!

I don’t really understand why they can’t make quality snowblowers a little higher and reduce the length…Not everyone lives in Alaska!

Cheers,

Sam

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November 27, 2015

Paul

Hi Sam, The “footprint” will be about the same. For some reason they are not listing the handle in the dimensions of the 88198. No, they don’t fold.

Think of the footprint of the 88173 as about the same as a push mower. It’s about 3 inches and about the same length.

Why don’t they make smaller snow blowers? Because not that many people will buy them. The only 22 inch left is that little POS MTD/Craftsman/YardMan/…..everyone else has dropped them from their inventory.

With the advent of the Toro SnowMaster there may be a resurgence of a different type of small, lightweight snow blower though in the next few years.

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November 27, 2015

Sam

Thanks again Paul!

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November 27, 2015

Marty

Great websites and reviews. Thank you for what you do! I need your advice or suggestion. I’m in the market for a new snow blower. After reading your excellent reviews, I am interested in purchasing either the Craftsman 88172, 88173 or the Toro Snowmaster 36001. I live in a suburb of Chicago with 16 x 60 foot concrete driveway. The compact Craftsman true 2-stage machines and the new Toro hybrid seem to meet and possibly exceed my requirements. You know the type and amount of snow we get. I want to avoid overkill so I ask your opinion. I’m retiring my 19 year old single stage Ariens model 938016-522 which has served me well, but had challenges with the wet and heavy snows as do most single stage machines.

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October 18, 2015

Paul

Hi Marty, I know your snow well, I lived there for 30 years. Between the Craftsman 88172 and 88173 I have a feeling in the long run you will be very happy with the 88173. The extra power of the 208 cc will move the wet snow you can get twice as fast as the 179 on the 88172. The chute on the 88173 is a hanging chute. It does not bind up or break off and will hold the snow better so with the powder snow it won’t blow back in your face. Finally the 88173 has single hand control so while moving you can let go of the left handle and reach down to turn the chute.

Just so you know with the Toro. The 36002 gives you electric start and the Quick Stick Chute Control. If you haven’t read this review there is a short video of how the chute control works here: 724/824 Picture Review

So my decision would be between the Craftsman 88173 at $679 and the Toro 36002 at $749. Looking at those two the 36002 has an easier chute control, automatic steering and the personal pace drive for $80 more. I hope that helps.

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October 18, 2015

Ken

I like all that has been said about the snowmaster but I need something that will work on gravel too. My driveway is about 600ft long. Any suggestions bearing in mind that I like the snowmaster features?

Jimbo

As I said in a previous post, it was my intent to buy a new Snowmaster 824QXE snowblower. The local authorized Toro seller / servicer did not have the 824- just the lower horsepower version 724. So I found an online Toro seller to buy from. However, I’m concerned about warranty coverage. Could the local authorized Toro service facility refuse to do warranty service if I don’t buy from them?

So I called Toro customer service to ask for their assurances that I can still get the 824QXE serviced in my area. The gal who answered, “Christina or Christine” immediately told me that Toro leaves it completely up to the authorized service centers if they accept warranty work on any particular model, or units bought from other Toro sellers. Unbelievable! In effect, she is telling me there is NO guarantee whatsoever that I could get my new Toro snowblower serviced in my area, or for that matter, ANYWHERE. Imagine if you bought a car in NY state, and moved to Michigan, and the Detroit Ford dealer told you you hand to go back to NY to get it serviced! NO ONE would tolerate that, and I suspect it would probably violate federal as well as state laws. Toro must have a lot of leverage with sellers and AUTHORIZED service centers. They depend on Toro for parts and servicing information as well as the new machines they sell.

Suspecting “Christine” did not know what she is talking about, I asked to talk to her supervisor. She put me on hold for 5 minutes then picked up the phone without her supervisor. She told me the same thing… I again asked for the supervisor, and she hung up on me!

I haven’t completely given up yet on buying the Toro, but I expect Toro to address my concerns immediately, AND apologize for hanging up on me. If they don’t I WILL buy another brand. If this young lady was accurately describing Toro’s agreement with authorized servicers, then people need to know that the Toro warranty is not worth the paper it is printed on.

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October 16, 2015

Paul

@Jimbo, I’m not going to make excuses for the Toro call center. Like most call centers Christine probably is not a snow blower engineer but a nice person who has a book near her to help answer questions. I’ll bet she has to answer everything from what’s the warranty on my product to what color is the cheese on my pizza. I wouldn’t want her job – ever.

Toro dealers are independent franchised dealers. Just like McDonalds, Toro sets guidelines but the dealers are not required to abide by all of them just like a McDonald’s franchise is not required to carry everything McDonald’s wants them to sell, or even charge the same prices. That said, Toro has one of the best dealer networks and I can always find one I like. I can always find one that will work with me. It may not be my closest dealer but it’s never out of the way. I’ve done this over the years in Iowa, Illinois, Florida and Wisconsin. There are owner who have written in here from just about every state that gets snow and I have yet to hear of a Toro dealer being unwilling to help. I’m sure there are always exceptions, but not in general. In fact, from a dealer’s perspective Toro corporation is one of the best and most professional companies to work with.

I haven’t bought a new car since 1999 but there was a time before that when a car dealer did NOT have to perform warranty work on a car he didn’t sell. I’m sure most of those dealers are not in business for many reasons and I also have a feeling that if your local dealer refuses to take care of you it won’t be too long before he is out of business.

You are very welcome to use the links in the SnowMaster articles to buy your 824 for two reasons:

1. If you buy through Home Depot you can select for the snow blower to be shipped right to your door for free. If you have a warranty problem just go to your local Home Depot dealer and they will have a Toro dealer they work with who will take care of you. You can also ask your local Home Depot who does their Toro service and they will gladly give you their number. That Toro dealer is contracted to help you. You never have to deal with “attitude”

2. If you use that link I make a small commission to help keep this website running. Home Depot’s checkout is secure. You can use a credit card or even your debit card and not worry about someone stealing your information.

Finally, if you don’t like Home Depot for whatever reason you can go right to the Toro site and buy it there. Toro will ship the SnowMaster to you and hook you up with your local dealer. Here is the link to buy directly from Toro: Toro 824 SnowMaster

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October 16, 2015

Jimbo

I’ll tell you why a company’s commitment to warranty service is so important to me..

I bought a new Ford in 1993. Emptied my bank account to pay for it.. It had problems. I returned to the dealer where I bought it, and they refused to do the warranty work. I went to all the other Ford Dealers within reasonable driving distance, and they told me they wouldn’t service it either, because I had not bought from them! I called Ford and asked how I could obtain warranty service. They basically told me to go jump in the lake. In this state, to file a lemon law complaint you have to prove that you gave the dealer three chances to fix the car (dealer service records). Without the service records, you can’t file a lemon law complaint. So I was stuck.

Think that was an aberration? I had the same thing happen with a low mileage certified Toyota I bought in 2001. That car was an even worse lemon.

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October 16, 2015

Paul

@Jimbo, I understand. I bought a new car out of state once and had all sorts of issues with warranty work locally. I finally found a dealer 30 miles from me who didn’t care where I bought it – he just took care of me. I ended up buying 22 new cars from him over the years.

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October 17, 2015

Mike

If you had the choice between this machine, the Craftsman 88173 and the Sno Tek 920402, would the Craftsman still be your choice or would this machine be your choice? Assume for the moment that the price for this machine and the Sno Tek are the same and the Craftsman is about $30 more. Also, it is for your typical Long Island house as described above. Thanks in advance.

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October 15, 2015

Paul

Hi Mike, I would go with the Craftsman. The 88173 has proven to be one of the most dependable economy snow blowers. Too keep the cost down it does not have a lot of features but it still uses the quality components the rest of the Craftsman line uses.

As long as you use a fuel stabilizer it always starts and blows snow (all of today’s snow blower engines need fuel stabilizer)

Jimbo

I’ve been emailing, and calling Toro for WEEKS asking the same questions, but the customer service people know next to nothing about the machines. I’mm mystified why no one else on line is asking them either. What about those big chunks of salt and ice which fall off the wheel wells of cars? If they are covered by snow, I could very well run into them with the Snowmaster. A standard 2 stage (I’m told) has shear pins to limit the damage that might occur. But I do not see shear pins on the Snowmaster. I like the features of the Snowmaster, and am ready to fork over the cash. But I won’t until someone tells me how this machine would handle a chunk of ice. Would the rotor seize up and cause the belt to slip? Would the gearbox self destruct? PLEASE if someone here knows about this, please let me know.

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October 14, 2015

Paul

Hi Jimbo, Toro doesn’t use shear pins. Their snow blowers are built to withstand those chunks of ice, etc. If you do get something stuck in the front end – yes it will slip the belt.

But let me explain a few other things to make you more comfortable.

1. This is a single stage snow blower so the front auger has to spin fast enough to pick up the snow and throw it out the chute. Because it’s spinning so fast almost all the time it will break up those chunks of ice. That front auger spins so fast that it’s like hitting the chunk of ice with a hammer. Yes, those chunks of ice are pretty fragile. You can run over them with your car and they shatter. If you hit one with a hammer they break apart.

2. If the chunk is too big for the auger to break it up – again, it is spinning so fast that almost all the time it will bounce off the chunk or bounce the chunk out of it’s way.

3. If you manage to get something really hard in it like a brick, garden hose or boot the belt will slip. You will see nothing coming out the chute and hear the engine lugging down fast enough to release the engage lever and stop the snow blower before the belt breaks. It’s a very strong flat belt so it will withstand quite a bit of abuse.

4. There is no gearbox in the Snow Master. From the engine to the front auger is two belts and a jack shaft. Nothing to strip out and break.

I have a better review of the SnowMaster just about done. In that review I take the snowMaster apart and look at all those area of concern for you. I should have it done by tomorrow night.

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October 14, 2015

Jimbo

THANK YOU! FINALLY, good answers to my questions.. If you were nearby, I’d buy you a beer!
All I wonder now is if the larger engine is worth the extra money.

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October 15, 2015

Paul

@Jimbo, They don’t post HP but I would guess the 724 is about 6 hp and 824 is 8 hp. If you have always wanted a little more power using your old snow thrower then get the 824. The 824 represents the new thinking of “bigger is always better.” In other words many homeowners now want more power so they can get done faster and also to handle that heavy, wet end-of-driveway snow better. The 824 does both.

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October 15, 2015

Jimbo

I’m going for the higher horsepower. After we get our first snowfall, I will try and remember to report back here with my results.

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October 15, 2015

Karl

I plan on getting this, it looks great for my Cleveland winters. I have a 4 yr old Cub Cadet 221 single stage and it really is not the best. The scraper wears very quickly, the auger gears are worn and doesn’t stay in place when rotated fully to the side, the choke is poorly located etc.
I think the Toro will really fit the bill, I hope the scraper is as good as on their single stage that is spring mounted. I also hope that as a new model I won’t have any issues or miss out on part redesigns.
Really my only question is the standard vs upgrade engine. 3 car garage driveway about 75 feet long, average snow fall is 80″ plus
Ia there a way to add a light?

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October 12, 2015

Paul

Hi Karl, I expect the compression scraper to last longer than a steel scraper on a 2-stage. Here is a picture of the underside of the scraper. There are a hundred or so wear bars. .

I’m going with the larger engine because I live on an emergency snow route. When it’s snowing there is a plow going past 3 to 4 times an hour clearing the snow and laying down salt. Because of that my end-of-driveway pile is a wet, sloppy mess. A 205-212 cc engine can handle it but the 254 will handle it a lot better. In your case the larger engine will handle the deeper snows faster.

There is no alternator on the engine so there is no way to add a 12 volt light. I’ve purchased a Nebo Big Larry Flashlight COB LED that has a very strong magnet. I’ll make a tube to mount on the handle to hold it. The Big Larry is 400 lumen and that is plenty bright to clear snow with.

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October 12, 2015

Rick

Hello Paul, thank you for your helpful site. I am replacing my 28 year old 24” 8 hp Tecumseh LawnBoy that served me well. I live in the Milwaukee metro area on a cul-de-sac so the city dumps on me sometimes at the end of my drive. We don’t often get snow falls over 10 inches and drive is two car wide by about 75 ft long. After reading your reviews I think the SnowMaster 36002 or 36003 will work for me. That said, I am not sure if it is best to get the larger 252cc engine on the 36003? Does one need the larger engine to help make it through the heavier snow at the end of drive? Would the larger engine help with the longevity of the snow blower in general? Which model of the SnowMaster do you think would be best for me?

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October 11, 2015

Paul

Hi Rick, The 724 with the 212 cc is plenty for you. It will handle the end-of-driveway snow well. The 252 will just handle the 10 inch snows and the end-of-driveway snow faster. I bought the 252 myself because I live on a snow route and my end-of-driveway snow is always very heavy and wet from salt. A 205-212 cc engine on a single-stage has done the job but it wouldn’t always have enough power to throw the snow clear off the driveway in one pass. I know the 252 will do the job a lot better.

I don’t feel the larger engine will have a longer life than the 212 cc.

So the transmission is sourced from General Transmissions? An adaptation of one of their Element V Motion series CVT offerings? It seems that a number of snow blower manufacturers are starting to look at the GT transmissions and getting away from friction disk designs.

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October 9, 2015

Paul

Hi Glenn, Yes and No. I’m very excited about the technology in this new transmission from General Transmissions. Yes it’s a CVT but this transmission was specifically designed for this snow blower. It has the DI300 intuitive differential built inside the unit. It’s an integral part of the whole drive train – not an add-on piece.

As a manufacture I would like a completely sealed, watertight trans that doesn’t cost a whole lot more that a friction disk setup. Especially since this one was designed specifically for the new SnowMaster by Toro and GT.

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October 9, 2015

Keith

I was reading this article and the “Best 2-Stage” article and have some questions.
Facts:
1) I have a roughly 60-75′ long, 2-car wide asphalt/concrete driveway with a 20-30 degree slope over 3/4 (I may be overestimating the slope).
2) The blower would be stored in a shed without power and would need to cross 25-30′ of lawn to the concrete (and outlet).
3) I’m a big guy and can handle the recoil starts, but my wife is smaller than I am. She can however start the craftsman recoil mower we have now.
4) We live in northern Virginia west of the start of the Appalachians and get mostly 2-5 inches with occasional 6-8 inches. Varies between wet and powdery.

Which kind would you recommend based on the slope?

Because of the lawn I’d have to cross to get to the driveway (and outlet) I’m unsure if electric start would be useful unless I got the Toro 36002 based on weight.

Based on the above, overall would you recommend both the electric start and power steering (Toro 36002 or Craftsman 88694) or just power steering (Toro 36001) or just electric start (Craftsman 88173)?

Price is a factor which is why everything on the list is under $800 (current sales). But the Craftsman 88173 and the Toro 36001 for ~$650 are my current favorites.

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October 6, 2015

Paul

Hi Keith, the Toro SnowMasters are not designed to clear lawns. The way the Personal Pace works I don’t think you can raise up the front and then let the snow blower drive itself over the grass either. If you do go with a Toro seriously look at the 36002. The chute control alone is worth the price difference from the 26001.

So, based on the fact you have to move it over the lawn I suggest the 88173. That Craftsman will do a good job for you. Just ignore the fact it has electric start. Most of us never use the electric anyway – unless it won’t start. The Craftsman 88694 is also a good choice if you want to get done just a little faster. When you first let your wife use it suggest she keep it in 1st or 2nd gear when making turns until she gets used to the locked axle.

Paul, I also noticed that the front engine mounts (the side with the starter) on these machines are rubber damped from the unibody frame. I assume it’s to reduce vibration from being transmitted to the entire unit. I’ve never seen this on any other snowblower before. Is this something you have seen and what is the reason/need for such mounting on just 2 of the 4 engine mounting bolts?

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October 3, 2015

Paul

Hi Glenn, I’ll get an answer the when I talk to Toro the 22nd.

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October 5, 2015

Paul

Hi Glenn, Yes those are vibration mounts. Toro really did their homework on this machine and in my opinion they have designed it to be as completely in-experience-proof as they possibly could.

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October 6, 2015

Jason

Paul, thanks so much for the wonderful site. Given that the Toro 826 OXE 37781 and the 28″ Craftsman 243cc quiet engine model are almost the same price, and have comparable features, which would you buy if it were your money.
Thanks
Jason

I consider the two snow blowers very equal in size, power and ease of use. Looking at the snow blowers themselves the Toro is slightly better because the deflector locks in place. (the Craftsman uses a friction lock and takes some getting used to) But there is a lot more to the machine than just the physical features.

Toro: If you buy the Toro through Home Depot and you have any warranty issues with it you will have to bring it to an authorized Toro repair center. Home Depot will help you find one. If you have a local Toro dealer that you are going to buy from you will still bring it the that dealer for repairs. Belts, and tuneup parts are also ordered through that dealer. You will have to go to the dealer to order the parts and then go back and pick them up later when they arrive. In my opinion if I trust that dealer I will like the Toro. If I don’t like the dealer I won’t be happy with the snow blower if I ever have an issue with it.

I like my local Toro dealer so I would have no problems buying a snow blower from him.

Craftsman: If you buy the Craftsman through Sears or a Sears Hometown Store and if you have any warranty issues with it you call 1-800-4MY-HOME and a Sears Tech COMES TO YOUR HOME to troubleshoot and repair the snow blower. You never have to take it anywhere for repairs. If you need maintenance parts you can order them through your local Sears or online through searspartsdirect.com. Order them from home and they are delivered to your door.

I like my local Sears store. I also know how to get service and parts anywhere I may move to in the U.S. I would have no problems buying from them.

So Jason, I can’t really tell you what I would buy because your experiences are different. Hopefully though what I told you about each brand, service and special offers may help you decide the best for you.

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September 30, 2015

Jason

I’ve been speaking with my local Toro dealer and have been very satisfied with their knowledge of product and advice. Since price isn’t the deciding factor, I’ll probably go with the Toro.
Thanks again,
Jason

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October 1, 2015

Brett

I am new to the mid-west (Quad Cities) and completely new to snow. I was looking at the snowmaster or the powermax. I have a 3 car wide and two car long drive way with a slight slope. I like the light weight and the features of the snowmaster. I would to clear a small section of the yard for the dog to walk out too. Which machine do you recommend? Thanks, and I love the site it has been really helpful
Brett

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September 29, 2015

Paul

Hi Brett, It’s nice to meet someone from home. I grew up about 30 miles north of Geneseo, went to Erie High and my folks still live near Albany.

The SnowMaster is not the best choice. It is a single stage snow blower so it is not designed to clear gravel or your yard. It will throw rocks and tear up your lawn.

Brett

Thank you for the help. What do you think of the Husqvarna 208cc 24-in Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Heated Handles and Headlights
Item #: 594163 | Model #: 961930096. Seems like a lot of features for the price.
Thanks again
Brett

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September 30, 2015

Paul

Hi Brett, There are actually two 24 inch Husqvarna’s – one with power steering and one without. The snow blower is light enough that you and I don’t need the power steering but if other members of your family will be using the snow blower I suggest the one with power steering.

Dave

Would you spend your own money on this Snow Blower if it was going to be the only one you could own? I am a bit worried about the personal pace feature. How reliable is it. What is likely to go wrong with it, and how much will it cost to fix it if it should break. I am always wary of something so new that has no track record of performance, even though Toro has a very good reputation. I am one of those tweener buyers and am seriously considering purchasing this snow blower.

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September 29, 2015

Paul

Hi Dave, I am not worried about the snow thrower itself. I know Toro spends a huge amount of research and testing before the put any model into production. They don’t sell junk nor do they sell a new product and then let you do the prove-design for them.

I know the transmission took three years to develop and test. It went through 4 design changes and over 6000 hours of prove-design testing. The Personal Pace part of the transmission has been used by Toro now for quite a while in their lawn mowers. The snow thrower weighs just a little more than a walk-behind mower so I’m confident they have the durability right.

The biggest thing I want to do is qualify you for the snow thrower to make sure it is the right one for you.

The SnowMaster will work great if you get more 2-6 inch snows and a occasional 10-14 incher. Toro states it will clear up to 18 inches but practically speaking 18 inch is more a drift or the end of your driveway than an 18 inch snow fall.

It is designed to work on hard surfaces. It will not work well on gravel or turf.

It will blow snow up to 40 feet. If you have to clear and throw the snow as far as possible go with a 2-stage instead.

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September 29, 2015

Jeremy

Hi Paul,

Your advice here has been so valuable. Thank you! I am replacing my CCR3650. I almost bought the 724QXE today. Aside from the “awkwardness” of adjusting to a totally different unit, I have an additional concern about the Personal Pace sliding mechanism on the handle. It moves easily in the showroom, but what when blowing snow, freezing temperatures, and dirt get in there? I worry about the potential for problems there, in addition to service expenses. Any comment or reassurances are appreciated.

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November 27, 2015

Paul

Hi Jeremy, That handle has been used for at least 5 years now on their mowers. It does not wear out and get sticky with dirt. I know – it’s not freezing mowing lawn. I don’t expect any issues whatsoever. Toro is wonderfully adept at proving the design before they put an item on sale. That said, I have a can of WD40 on my shelf for any “dirt” and I always have a spray can of deicer – CRC 05346 Ice-Off Windshield Spray De-Icer – 12 Wt Oz. – in the trunk of my car.

By the way Toro typically takes 3 years or longer to come out with a new model. They have a rigorous series of tests including lab simulations, lab environmental simulations and actual field use long before the design is finalized.

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November 27, 2015

Jeremy

Do you see any issue using my Silicon Spray instead of WD40?

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November 27, 2015

Paul

Hi Jeremy, Thanks, I forgot to mention silicone. It works great and will not harm plastics. If it is iced up WD40 will reduce the ice though.

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November 28, 2015

Jeremy

Am having my new 724QXE delivered Monday. Although I never use old fuel, I would like to add stabilizer to my 1 or 2 gallon gas container when I fill them. Can you recommend which brand and formula is best to use? (I use relatively little gasoline).

I disagree with the power equipment retailer here, who says not to bother with stabilizer and just get new gas every month, putting the leftover in my car. (that does not address the gas already in my machine)!

They also recommend a minimum of 89 octane gas, and thinks that premium is even better (in contrast to Toro recommendations). And this is a big Toro dealer.

Thanks in advance for any specifics on a stabilizer (and gas).

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November 28, 2015

Paul

Hi Jeremy, I use Sea Foam, about 2 tablespoons per gallon in my storage container.

That dealer’s ideas worked 5 years ago – why change?

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November 28, 2015

Jay

Could you please explain why Snowmaster is not suitable for gravel surface. It looks like the height is adjustable so could it not be set high enough for a gravel surface? Thanks in advance for your input.

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September 28, 2015

Paul

Hi Jay, Toro did not design the Snow Master for gravel (from Toro themselves) The scraper bar is a compression scraper and the skid shoes on the side are adjustable when the scraper wears. They don’t have enough height to get it out of the rocks.

Trust me, you don’t want that high speed rotor throwing rocks through your car windows or kitchen windows or your neighbors head or……

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September 28, 2015

Ron

How tall is the auger? it looks about 10 inches tall. You stated “This new snow blower is powerful, yet lightweight and has all the features you need to quickly remove a 2 to 10 inch snowfall.” I live in NJ and am concerned that the short auger will not be very efficient when dealing with 10+ inches of snowfall. Thank you for your help.

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September 28, 2015

Paul

Hi Ron, The auger is 10 inches but the front of the SnowMaster is an open face design so Toro is stating it can handle 18 inch snows. I’m more practical than their advertising so I stated 2 to 10.

If you get more snow in the 2-10 inch range than you do in the 10+ range the SnowMaster is a good choice. If you get half a dozen 10+ snows a year I would go with a 2-stage.

Steven

I live in NJ where every once in a while we get an 18 inch storm and most of the time less than a foot. My driveway is 2 car wide by 2.5 car deep. The most important feature of a snowblower to me is that it can handle the icy/compacted mound of snow left by the plow at the end of the driveway, since clearing this area seems to take as much time as the remainder of the driveway. The other requirement is that it be no wider than a 24″-class model. I’m replacing a 25 year old Toro 521, which was able to handle most anything I encountered.

I was all set on getting the Toro Snowmaster 824 until I went to my local dealer. I explained my situation and he brought me to the Toro Powermax 724 since it was the modern version of the Toro 521 that has served me well for many years. Right next to the Powermax 724 was the SnowMaster 724 (there was no 824 to look at) which I asked about, specifically how it would handle end-of-driveway snow compared to the Powermax 724.

He basically dismissed the SnowMaster 724 as a single stage model that would not be able to compete with the Powermax 724 in the deep snow or end-of-driveway department. While I really like the feature set of the SnowMaster, I’m concerned that it will just bounce back against an icy/compacted 18 inch mound where the Powermax will eat right through it. So I’m thinking by upgrading to the larger engine in the SnowMaster 824 there will be more of a competition. Or does it not really matter? Is the SnowMaster just not cut out for deep compacted icy snow. The Toro videos show the Snowmaster going through maybe 9 inches of end-of-driveway snow, but could it handle more than that?

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September 27, 2015

Paul

Hi Steven, I agree with your dealer on this one. The SnowMaster is going to be a great machine but it won’t work well on crusty end-of-driveway snow. The auger is 10 inches but the front of the SnowMaster is an open face design so Toro is stating it can handle 18 inch snows but I’m more practical than their advertising so I state 2 to 10.

If you get more snow in the 2-10 inch range than you do in the 10+ range the SnowMaster is a good choice. If you get half a dozen 10+ snows a year I would go with a 2-stage.

Paul

Karl Lusk

Looking hard at the Toro SnowMaster for a driveway two cars wide, 100′ long, in Kentucky. We had two 20 inch plus snows last year and a few 3-4″ snows. Some of these are pretty wet snows. I like the SnowMaster because it is light weight, easy to turn so either my wife and I can use it…we are both over 70…She likes Ariens, and they are good…but at least $150 more. Any thoughts?

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September 22, 2015

Paul

Hi Karl, Toro is stating in their advertising that this now thrower will handle up to 18 inches of snow. What that means is you may have to go out in the middle of a large storm and clear snow or take 1/4 wide swaths on deep snow.

The big advantage of the SnowMaster is it will handle those wet snows really well and those 3-4 inchers it will clear as fast as you want to walk.

If you are getting “cold feet” on the SnowMaster take a close look at the Toro Snow Removal Powermax 826 OXE Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower 37781. This Toro will handle the deeper snows and is a little lighter than the Ariens. It has the same type of automatic steering that the Ariens and the SnowMaster have. It’s the same price as the Ariens 24.

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September 23, 2015

I'll be glad you help you find the best snow blower. Please tell me the city, state and how large an area you want to clear. Cancel reply